Watch

Abstract

According to the utility model relates to a kind of watch, including the movement with board (1). The dial (2) of watch is fixed on board. Dial includes dial support leg (3) fixed on the back of dial (2). Support leg is inserted into aperture (4), aperture (4) is through board from the front (5) to the back (6) of board. Aperture (4) includes first circumferential stop (7), it is preferably recessed inward from the back (6) of board, so that the end (11) of support leg moves away from first circumferential stop (7). Fastening element (13), such as nut, is mounted to support leg (3) on the side with the end, and axial damping element (14) is provided between fastening element (13) and first circumferential stop (7) on aperture (4). Axial damping element (14) is made of flexible material, these elements are partially compressed between fastening element (13) and first circumferential stop (7) so as to attenuate the effect of frontal impact on the entire board and dial.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of watches. More particularly, it relates to securing a dial to a plate on a watch movement. Background Technology

[0002] In the watchmaking industry, dials are typically secured to the movement's mainplate by bolts or keys. The rigidity of this type of fastening system makes the dial highly sensitive to damage from shocks. Almost all the energy (especially from a direct impact) is transferred to the potentially cracked dial.

[0003] Therefore, we hope to propose a solution that better protects the watch face from watch shocks. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention aims to provide a solution to the aforementioned problems. This objective is achieved by the watch and method according to the appended claims.

[0005] The watch according to this invention includes a movement having a mainplate. A watch dial is attached to the mainplate. The dial includes a dial support fixed to the back of the dial. The support is inserted into an aperture extending through the mainplate from the front to the back. The aperture includes a first circumferential stop, preferably recessed inward from the back of the mainplate, such that the end of the support extends away from the first circumferential stop. A fastening element, such as a nut, is mounted to the support on the side having said end, and an axial damping element is provided between the fastening element and the first circumferential stop of the aperture. The axial damping element is made of a flexible material, and these elements are partially compressed between the fastening element and the first circumferential stop to attenuate the effect of frontal impacts on the entire mainplate and dial.

[0006] According to a particular embodiment, the watch also includes lateral shock-absorbing elements disposed between the dial feet and the walls of the aperture, so as to also reduce the effect of lateral impacts. Attached Figure Description

[0007] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 A view of the back of a watch movement plate according to the present invention is shown, wherein the watch dial is attached to the front of the watch movement plate;

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the component shown;

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A close-up of the cross-sectional view shown to illustrate the location of an axial damping element configured to absorb frontal impacts to the dial;

[0011] Figure 4 An embodiment of the present invention is shown, which also includes lateral damping elements arranged between the dial feet and the main plate. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Figure 1 This is a plan view of the back of the movement plate 1 of a watch according to an embodiment of the present invention. The dial 2 is attached to the front of the movement plate. Figure 2 It shows along Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view taken from plane II-II. Plane II-II in the cross-sectional view extends through the central axis of the two dial feet 3.

[0013] Figure 3 The diagram details how one leg 3 on the dial 2 is attached to the base plate 1, and the other leg is attached in the same manner. The legs 3 are fastened to the back of the dial 2, for example, by welding, press-fitting, or equivalent methods. The legs 3 are inserted into an aperture 4, which extends through the base plate 1 from the front side 5 to the back side 6. The through aperture 4 includes a first circumferential stop 7 arranged between a first portion 4a and a second portion 4b of the aperture, the first portion 4a extending between the front side 5 of the base plate 1 and the first circumferential stop 7, and the second portion 4b extending between the first circumferential stop 7 and the back side 6 of the base plate 1. In a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the central axis 10 of the aperture 4, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first portion 4a of the aperture is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second portion 4b of the aperture. However, when the aperture 4 is empty, the first circumferential stop 7 is visible and accessible / touched from the back side 6 of the base plate 1. Figure 1 The diagram shows an opening 4 near the outer edge of the plate 1, such that a second portion 4b of the opening is partially laterally open near the outer edge, while the first portion 4a is completely surrounded by the material of the plate 1. In other embodiments, the opening 4 may be further away from the edge of the plate, such that the second portion 4b is also completely surrounded by the material of the plate 1.

[0014] Figure 3The diagram shows that when the support leg 3 of the dial 2 is inserted into the orifice 4, the end 11 of the support leg 3 moves away from the first circumferential stop 7 until the dial 2 is assembled into the front surface 5 of the plate 1. The portion of the support leg 3 extending beyond the first circumferential stop 7 of the orifice is provided with an externally threaded portion 12. A nut 13, having threads corresponding to the external threads of the support leg, is screwed onto the support leg. Between the nut 13 and the first circumferential stop 7 of the orifice, an axial damping element 14 in the form of an O-ring made of flexible material is provided. The O-ring is partially compressed between the nut 13 and the first circumferential stop 7 of the orifice 4. Due to the elasticity of the axial damping element 14, the connection between the dial 2 and the plate 1 is more resistant to frontal impact transmission. This reduces the risk of the dial breaking due to such impact.

[0015] For the purposes of this specification, partial compression is defined as compression that keeps the damping element in a flexible state, allowing it to absorb frontal impacts while holding the dial to the platen. The degree of compression depends on the size of the component and the choice of damping element material. An example of a material that can be used in this invention is Hytrel from the manufacturer Celanese. 7246. The following are examples of applicable, but not limiting, dimensions of the O-ring in embodiments of this invention: inner diameter between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm. Ring diameter in cross-section (diameter of the “O”): approximately 0.3 mm. The support leg 3 and nut 13 can both be made of steel or any other equivalent material capable of achieving the above functions.

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the leg 3 also includes a second circumferential stop 15 disposed between the threaded portion 12 of the leg and the remainder of the leg (which includes the cylindrical portion 16). A nut 13 is screwed onto the leg 3 until it is secured against the second circumferential stop 15. At this point, the nut 13 is in direct contact with the second circumferential stop 15. An equivalent direct contact effect can be achieved by adding a rigid element, such as a washer, between the nut 13 and the second circumferential stop 15. For descriptive purposes, this type of contact is defined as indirect contact.

[0017] When the support leg 3 is fully inserted into the orifice 4, the position of the second circumferential stop 15 of the support leg relative to the first circumferential stop 7 of the orifice is designed such that the O-ring is partially compressed between the fastened nut 13 and the first circumferential stop 7 of the orifice. This configuration ensures that the nut 13 can be screwed against the second circumferential stop 15 with the predetermined tightening force necessary to ensure the attachment of the dial 2. At the same time, this force produces a predetermined compression of the O-ring. This configuration is advantageous because it can apply a specific damping effect based on the elasticity of the ring material.

[0018] The positions of the support leg 3 and the opening 4 determine the orientation of the dial 2 relative to the circuit board 1. Preferably, in Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, one of the orifices 4 is circular (in cross-section) and configured to receive one of the legs 3 of the dial, with virtually no gap between the cylindrical portion 16 of the leg and the wall 21 of the orifice, while the other orifice is oblong. This configuration allows for slight adjustments to the orientation of the dial and ensures that the dial 2 is securely fastened to the plate 1 without introducing stress that could damage the dial.

[0019] According to one embodiment, in addition to the axial damping described above, lateral damping is also provided. An example of this implementation is as follows: Figure 4 As shown.

[0020] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view is shown along a plane including the central axis 10 of a leg 3 on the dial 2. As in the previous configuration, an axial damping element 14 is arranged between the nut 13 and the first circumferential stop 7 on the orifice 4. Furthermore, a second O-ring is arranged between the cylindrical portion 16 of the leg 3 and the inner wall 21 of the orifice 4. This second O-ring, acting as a lateral damping element 20, absorbs lateral vibrations of the watch.

[0021] In the illustrated configuration, the leg 3 has a head 17 with a diameter larger than that of the cylindrical portion 16, which is attached to the dial 2. Furthermore, the orifice 4 is provided with a radial bed 18 for retaining a second O-ring within it. The radial bed 18 is sized and positioned such that the second O-ring can be arranged within it without being substantially compressed in the axial direction of the leg 3, while being partially compressed laterally between the cylindrical portion 16 of the leg 3 and the wall 21 of the orifice 4. Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, viewed from the front 5 of the plate 1, the back 18a of the radial groove 18 is tapered. This arrangement makes it easier to hold the second O-ring axially between the back 18a of the radial groove 18 and the head 17 of the support leg 3.

[0022] exist Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the two openings 4 are preferably circular (cross-sectional view). The lateral damping element 20 will automatically center the dial's legs 3 without any risk of stress.

[0023] Certain features of the embodiments described above do not limit the scope of this utility model, which is defined only by the appended claims. For example, other fastening elements, such as rivets or fasteners connected to the leg 3 by setting or driving in, may be used instead of nut 13.

[0024] As can be seen from the accompanying drawings, for each orifice 4, the first circumferential stop 7 of the orifice is recessed inward from the back surface 6 of the plate 1, and when the nut 13 is tightened onto the dial support 3, the outer surface of the nut 13 is flush with the back surface 6. This means that the position of the first circumferential stop 7 and the size of the nut 13 are selected and set to achieve the positioning of being flush with the back surface 6.

[0025] However, a nut (or equivalent) having an outer surface that is not flush with the back surface 6 of the plate is not outside the scope of this invention. For example, this may be the case when the distance between the first circumferential stop 7 and the back surface 6 is less than the height of the nut 13. An extreme case is also within the scope of this invention, in which the first circumferential stop of the orifice coincides with the back surface 6 of the plate, meaning that when the dial is attached, the nut (or equivalent) is above the back surface 6 of the plate.

[0026] Preferably, two dial feet are provided, but having more than two dial feet connected to the main plate as described above or equivalently does not exceed the scope of this utility model.

[0027] The watch according to this invention is manufactured through a process including a method for attaching the dial 2 to the movement plate 1 of the watch movement. Figures 1 to 3 The illustrated embodiment or its equivalent, a method for assembling the dial 2 and the circuit board 1, includes the following steps:

[0028] - Place the machine plate 1 on a preferably horizontal support surface, wherein the back surface 6 of the machine plate is hidden.

[0029] - Then, by inserting the dial's feet 3 into the holes 4 in the circuit board, the dial 2 is mounted on the front side 5 of the circuit board, thus obtaining a non-fixed component.

[0030] - Invert the non-fixed components on the support surface.

[0031] - Then, the axial damping element 14 is mounted on the dial feet. Figures 1 to 3 In the middle, the O-ring is installed around the support leg 3 until the O-ring contacts the first circumferential stop 7 on the orifice 4.

[0032] - Then, tighten the fastening elements to the ends of the support legs until the axial damping elements are partially compressed. Figures 1 to 3 In the middle, nut 13 is screwed against the second circumferential stop 15 of the dial support. This action automatically applies a predetermined pressure to the O-ring.

[0033] according to Figure 4 The preferred method for assembling the dial 1 and the circuit board, as shown in the embodiment, includes the following steps:

[0034] - The platen is placed on a preferably horizontal support surface, wherein the back of the platen is hidden.

[0035] - Then, the lateral damping element 20 is mounted on the dial feet, in Figure 4 In this example, the O-ring is installed around the dial's foot 3 until it contacts the head 17 on the foot.

[0036] - Then, by inserting the dial's feet 3 into the holes 4 in the circuit board, the dial 2 is mounted on the front side 5 of the circuit board, thus obtaining a non-fixed component.

[0037] - Invert the non-fixed components onto the support surface.

[0038] - Then, install the axial damping element 14 on the dial foot, - and fasten the fastening element 13 to the end of the foot until the axial damping element is partially compressed.

Claims

1. A watch comprising a movement and a dial (2), the movement comprising a mainplate (1) having a front (5) and a back (6), the dial being attached to the front of the mainplate, characterized in that, The dial is attached to the circuit board via the following structure: - At least two feet (3) are fixed to the dial, the feet being inserted into holes (4) penetrating the plate (1), each hole (4) having a first circumferential stop (7), the feet being inserted such that the ends (11) of the feet extend away from the first circumferential stop (7). - A fastening element (13), which is correspondingly mounted on the foot (3) at one side of the end (11) having the foot, so as to attach the dial (2) to the plate (1). - An axial damping element (14) made of flexible material is arranged between the fastening element (13) and the first circumferential stop (7) on the orifice (4) and is partially compressed between the fastening element (13) and the first circumferential stop (7).

2. The watch according to claim 1, characterized in that: - Each support leg (3) is also provided with a second circumferential stop (15), - The fastening element (13) is in direct or indirect physical contact with the second circumferential stop (15) of the support leg.

3. The watch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The support leg (3) on the dial (2) has a threaded portion (12) on one side having the end (11), wherein the fastening element (13) is a nut screwed onto the threaded portion (12) of the support leg.

4. The watch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The axial damping element (14) is an O-ring arranged around the foot (3) on the dial (2).

5. The watch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first circumferential stop (7) on the orifice (4) is recessed inward from the back (6) of the machine plate (1).

6. The watch according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fastening element (13) has an outer surface that is flush with the back (6) of the machine plate (1).

7. The watch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The watch also includes a plurality of lateral shock-absorbing elements (20) arranged laterally between the legs (3) of the dial and the wall (21) of the aperture (4), the lateral shock-absorbing elements being partially compressed between the legs (3) and the wall (21).

8. The watch according to claim 7, characterized in that, The lateral damping element (20) is an O-ring arranged around the foot (3) on the dial (2).

9. The watch according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each orifice (4) is provided with a radial groove (18) configured to retain the lateral damping element (20) arranged around the foot (3) inserted into the orifice.

10. The watch according to claim 9, characterized in that, Each leg (3) includes a head (17) having a larger diameter relative to the cylindrical portion (16) of the leg, wherein the lateral damping element (20) is arranged between the head (17) of the leg and the back surface (18a) of the radial groove (18).

11. The watch according to claim 10, characterized in that, The back side (18a) of the radial groove (18) is tapered.

12. The watch according to claim 7, characterized in that, The aperture (4) has a circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the support (3) of the dial.

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